Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

face.
    “I’m not sorry,” he said. He dropped his gaze to her lips, lingered a moment, then those hazel eyes returned to lock with hers. “Let’s go get some fresh air. It will do both of us good.”

Chapter 3
    Oh, God ! Jacqui Bishop felt amazing in his arms. Lithe, supple, hot, and trembling. If it hadn’t been for the fact she’d had too much wine at dinner, Luke might have pulled her closer, held her longer. Only a jerk would take advantage of her tipsy state. It was partially his fault she’d drank more than she was used to at dinner . . . he’d kept her glass, as well as his, full throughout the meal.
    For now, he’d have to be content to just draw her hand through the crook of his arm and lead her outside. With luck, a walk would clear her head. Not that he’d had any spectacular luck to speak of in the past four months. To be honest, having her this close wasn’t going to ease his desire one little bit. Funny, he couldn’t make himself care.
    When he’d met her last month, he’d appreciated her looks and her quick grin. Their brief meeting had left him disappointed she hadn’t attended the last happy hour Bella had organized.
    When he’d crossed the threshold of the dining room, he’d been pleased and excited to see her standing next to Jules. The prospects for the week definitely looked golden. She was the consummate dinner companion, keeping the conversation flowing and lively. And now, she was going to take a moonlight stroll with him. He couldn’t believe his good fortune.
    On their way past the dining room sideboard, he picked up a bottle of water. It dangled between his fingers as he escorted her past the other people gathered on the screened porch. The outside door screeched as he pushed it open, reminding him of long-ago summers.
    “You know, when I was a kid, the twang of the screen door spring was the sound of freedom.” He twisted off the bottle cap, splashing a bit over his fingers. He handed it to her, wiping the excess off on the back of his jeans.
    Jac sipped, then snuggled close against his side as they navigated the steps to the gravel path. “It reminds me of my grandparents’ farm. They had a door with scrolled woodwork on the bottom half.”
    They reached the bottom step. Luke adjusted his grip on her arm, still holding her as they walked under a pretty vine-covered arbor. “A lot of my friends spent their summers playing video games. Not me. I’d slam out of the house first thing and ride my bike until the streetlights came on. Or I’d play at the playground right down the street from my parents’ house. I could make it across the monkey bars in five seconds. The park’s still open, but no kids play there anymore. Everyone is too busy.”
    Even in the dim light, he noticed the flicker of sadness passing over her face. “Too bad kids don’t really get to be kids these days. Heck, most adults don’t know how to slow down either. I haven’t had a vacation in four years.” Jac shook her head. The glow from the lamps lining the path glinted on her hair, creating a halo fit for an angel. “I took a month off after college, before I started my job. Now it’s just work, work, work. And I don’t mind. But I think I’d like my life better if I worked for myself.”
    Curiosity grew like a dandelion. The woman intrigued him on so many levels. “Is that what you want? To run your own business?”
    “I like what I do . . .” She didn’t finish the thought.
    He let silence reign for a moment, before prompting her. “And?”
    “I don’t like living in the city. Medford is small, yet it still feels crowded on occasion. I have a loft downtown with a view of the mountains and lots of green space. But I want more than a view. I want the actual terrain. I want to get up in the morning and smell fresh air, not diesel fumes.”
    “You could move out of the city and commute in,” Luke pointed out as he steered her toward a rise at the edge of the vineyard. Trees rustled in